Accepting that every car has a story, the tales told by wagon-bodied automobiles popular from the 1950s to the 1980s would often consist of long-distance family road trips. Although the wagon can be remembered fondly for travelling to grand locations, the vehicle type’s life is not generally seen as excitingly as a sports car or even a pickup truck. Wagons produced during the mid-to-late 1960s (coinciding with the opening years of what became the muscle car era) are notable exceptions, typically sharing platforms with some icons of the great time in American motoring. Muscle car era performance combined with an adventurous personality is well-featured in Joe and Tina Halasz’s 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu wagon.
Obtaining the 1964 Chevelle Malibu wagon in late 2020, Joe Halasz instantly knew he was on the verge of owning a gem. More than just a classic family hauler, the Chevrolet wagon Joe came across included a slew of factory equipment not typical with a practical vehicle. A well-loaded car, some of the amenities for the time included power steering and brakes, push button AM radio as well as deluxe front seats. The Comfort and Convenience equipment package was also fitted to this 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu wagon adding a two-speed wiper/washer, back-up lights and a glove box lamp. However, this vehicle most noteworthy highlights work to distance itself greatly from its presumed grocery-getter identity.
Under the hood of this 58-year-old wagon is the coveted 300-horsepower version of the 327 cubic-inch V8 engine. Recognized also as RPO (Regular Production Option) L74, this high performance version of the Chevrolet small block powerplant was released midyear with the 1964 Chevelle models and is considered a scarce offering, especially with the wagon body style. Generating 50 horsepower more than the earlier variant of the 327 cubic-inch V8 engine, the high performance powerplant several upgrades to increase output included a Carter AFB carburetor and a connection to a dual exhaust system.
The engine in Joe Halasz’s 1964 Chevelle Malibu wagon is paired with a four-speed manual transmission cementing the likelihood for an extremely sporty trip for the classic family hauler. “When I drive it and people hear the rumble, they have a look of surprise it's a wagon,” says Joe. A 3.08 rear axle, heavy-duty suspension, a 55-amp generator and heavy-duty clutch were also factory-included equipment originally opted to support the wagon’s high performance attributes, spinning double-stripe whitewall tires.
Joe Halasz’s research into his 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu wagon was not limited to tracing the original equipment on the vehicle. He was able to chart the journey of the car that lived a nomadic life in keeping with its body shape. The birthplace of this tire-smoking Chevelle Malibu wagon was traced to General Motors’ Van Nuys Assembly plant in California. Opened between 1947 and 1992, the now-defunct Van Nuys facility saw Chevrolet models leave its assembly line including three generations of the Camaro. For 25 years, the car spent its life basking in the southern California sun with its original owner. The wagon’s second owner took the vehicle north to the state of Oregon, remaining there until 2002. The third owner of the car acquired it at a swap meet in Portland where its wheels would be firmly placed on Canadian soil.
After a two-year time period to purchase the vehicle for what was said to be “a good chunk of change”, Joe Halasz has become the latest owner of the 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu in 2020. Able to drive it home, they realized when purchasing the car it needed restoration. Joe explained that while the paint and bodywork was still in good shape, he described the mechanicals and the interior as requiring a great deal of work. In addition to redoing the cabin over the course of a year, the 327 V8 engine was rebuilt and the transmission received a reconditioning bringing the wagon back to its gloriousness.
This recently-restored 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu wagon is said to remain in the possession of Joe Halasz at least until the he comes across another tempting barn find.
